Singer/songwriter Christopher Hillman born December 4, 1944, Los Angeles, California, was one of the original members of The Byrds in 1965' "Mr. Tambourine Man", "Turn! Turn! Turn!," "Eight Miles High," "Have You Seen Her Face, and in the 1970's co-founded both Buffalo Springfield and Poco, the in the 1980's along with Herb Pedersen formed the Desert Rose Band, "Love Reunited," "One Step Forward," "He's Back and I'm Blue."http://www.chrishillman.com/artist.html

Nancy Fisher, who pleaded guilty, and also gave testimony, was sentenced to the United States Bureau of Prisons, Western region recommended, for four years, to surrender by noon January 8, 2010. Upon release she will be supervised for a term of 3 years, and in addition to pay restitution of $119,601 to Wachovia Bank, at the rate of $25.00 per quarter during the period of incarceration with the remaining payments after release at the rate of $50.00 or more a month.

Previously Kelly Fisher-Buh was sentenced to 12 months and a day followed by three years probation. She was also ordered to start her sentence on January 4, 2008 at 12 noon.

Kelly Fisher-Buh took a plea agreement in $300 million dollar tax evasion claimed by United States Attorney Carol C. Lam, who brought a twelve-count indictment charging Sterling Wayne Pirtle (president on paper), Ronald Allen Fisher, secretary-treasurer (her father), Mark Edward Fisher (her brother) with income tax evasion, arising from their receipt of unreported and untaxed income from their operation of a now-bankrupt corporation called Commercial Money Center. Inc. ("CMC").

The real head of the group was allegedly her father, Ronald Fisher, who was a chiropractor in Florida, who filed bankruptcy, moved to Nevada, and operated from an office in Las Vegas, and could not be on the corporate papers for that reason (similar to NorVergence's Thomas N. Salzano who had his brother Peter on the corporate documents as president as he also had a bankruptcy in his past, as well as Sheldon Player, whose business card read “consultant,” and his alleged wife Donna Malone was president of Equipment Acquisition Resources.)

Continuance of Sentences: Ronald Allen Fisher continued to 2/1/2010 Sterling Wayne Pirtle continued to 2/1/2010Mark Edward Fisher continued to 2/8/2010

“August 2006, Ronald Allen Fisher, his son Mark Fisher, daughter Kelly Fisher, and business partner Sterling Wayne Pirtle, were indicted for tax evasion arising from income they earned at a now-bankrupt company they operated, Commercial Money Center (“CMC”). Kelly Fisher pled guilty to one count of tax evasion and was sentenced to prison in November 2007. Subsequently, a federal grand jury handed up a superseding indictment against Ronald Fisher, Mark Fisher, and Sterling Wayne Pirtle in December 2007, adding conspiracy and bank fraud charges related to their operation of CMC. This first superseding indictment alleged that the defendants engaged in a scheme involving the sale of pools of fraudulent sub-prime equipment leases to financial institutions by CMC. According to court filings, the defendants included $70,000,000 worth of fraudulent leases into the pools they sold to the financial institutions. Before it declared bankruptcy, CMC obtained over $300,000,000 from financial institutions through its sale of sub-prime equipment leases.” US Attorney, San Diego, Karen P. Hewitt

Sterling Wayne Pirtle, 72, and Ronald Allen Fisher, 68, both pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and tax evasion.

The defendants admitted they engaged in a scheme through Commercial Money Center that involved the sale of pools of fraudulent sub-prime equipment leases to financial institutions.

According to the plea agreements, Pirtle and Fisher included $70 million worth of fraudulent leases in the pools they sold to the financial institutions.

Before declaring bankruptcy, CMC obtained more than $300 million from financial institutions through its sale of sub-prime equipment lease pools.

The tax evasion counts stemmed from unreported income each defendant earned at CMC. Both Pirtle and Fisher admitted they evaded payment of about $1 million each in personal income taxes on the millions of dollars they received from CMC.

First, several readers state the man in the photo above is not Sheldon Player, who they say is balding and looks sixty years old. The photo originally came from the Jackson Hole Water web site, no longer up, plus also appeared in a column written by Jack Nichols in Planet Jackson Hole on Line.

The latest news has ICON Capital calling for an immediate "Default of Judgment" in its case against Equipment Acquisition Resources, Palatine for $24,709,667.45. They listed:

Principal amount sued for:

$21,599,653.30

Interest Dec. 24,2007 to Nov. 24,2009

$3,109,388.45

Clerk fee:

$350.00

Process fee:

$274.80

Total (as of November 23,2009)

$24,709,667.45

(To the accountants who are readers of Leasing News, our
new web master Rick Jones discovered he numbers don’t add up, $24,709,666.55 is what it should be, but the above is from the court filing. editor)

This brings the various suits outside the bankruptcy hearing up to a little over $43 million, which include Fifth Third Bank, $10 million, Home Federal Savings Bank, Rochester, Minnesota $3.2 million, Farmers Bank & Capital Trust, $2 million, Red Oak Acquisition, $2 million, and Bank of Dixon County, Ponca, Nebraska. $321,596. They do not include attorney fees or court costs.

In the Bankruptcy proceedings, that await a December 10, 2009 10:00am hearing at Courtroom 680 219 South Dearborn, Chicago, Illinois, the latest news comes from Charter National Bank and Trust,Hoffman Estates, Illinois regarding a note on the EAR facility, 555 S. Vermont Street, Palatine, Illinois with the borrowers Sheldon G. Player and Donna L. Malone, where the borrowers are charged with failing to make payments for October 30, 2009 and November 30, 2009.

The suit notes that "6. TD Banknorth Leasing Corporation also has a lien against the Property by virtue of a junior mortgage in the amount of $9,000,000 which was recorded on April 17, 2009. 7. After payment of the liens and all applicable commissions, fees, and expenses in connection with the sale of the Property, the Debtor will have no equity in Property and there will be no funds available to distribute to unsecured creditors. 8 Additionally, Debtor has admitted that there is no equity in the Property and has filed a motion seeking authority from the Court to abandon the Property which remains pending an undetermined.10.That no cause exists to delay the enforcement and implementation of relief and therefore Bankruptcy Rule 4001(a)(3) should be waived."

ICON Capital has a lien on the Wyoming real estate property, but there are questions regarding title, as well as the situation with both Charter National Bank and TD Banknorth Leasing find themselves in.

"Hillcrest Bank remains adequately capitalized with an overall ratio of 8.2%. Losses experienced are due to responsible and prudent decisions to remove non-performing assets from our books in order to ensure a healthy, long-term endurance strategy, which includes the growth of our commercial leasing platform.

“Hillcrest Bank, founded in 1975, has weathered many economic downturns. We will continue to evolve in accordance with the ever changing commercial banking environment while conducting business in a responsible manner to efficiently serve our customers and benefit our partners."

“I have had clients sue churches in the past with no problem.. I would have an attorney review the documents and then create a conformation of assignment for the lessee to sign acknowledging the obligation and current status of payments and restate end of lease options. ...Terry”

Terry WindersWinders Consulting, Inc.www.leaseeducation.com

“On suing the church related university (on the inquiry posed in today's edition of Leasing News), that depends on where you could sue (such as with an enforceable forum selection clause) and if there is diversity of citizenship between all plaintiffs and all defendants and $75K+ in controversy to enable federal court practice. With good docs. in fed. court and a reasonable good judge, the lessor should be able to win on summary judgment. See the attached Kansas Benedictine opinion granting summary judgment for a lessor in federal court in Kansas against a private college in that state. Also, many states (such as Texas) enforce contractual jury waivers.

“I would like to emphasize the advantage of an enforceable forum selection clause and, when, proper, suing in federal court as opposed to a difficult state court.

“FYI, I successfully sued several churches for Copelco and other lessors in Texas, but am not a church hater; my father is a former pastor and is professor emeritus from a small church related college where my brother and I graduated.

"…. there was an article about Sysix and "a bank which was asking questions". That "bank" is Private Bank and the deal they're speaking of is Moody Bible Institute. What I find odd is that Private Bank "employs" either directly or on contact Ned Covic - the previous President of Sysix Financial, LLC who is directly tied to the fraudulent leases."

(name with held)

(First, the lessee is not Moody Bible Institute. Mr. Covic is not the president or employed by the bank asking the question, although he is or was president of Sysix Financial. editor)http://www.solutions-daily.com/dsp_getFeaturesDetails.cfm?CID=753

Bob Krause is Back

"After suffering a stroke this past July and being out of commission for over four months I have resumed my duties with The Alta Group. It's good to be back."

"It is simply amazing to me that scams similar to the NorV Ponzi scheme continue using the same technique. Provide a high tech product...promise that payments will be made by a third party...lease the equipment...and then the payments stop leaving the victim to engage the leasing company who demands that payments still be made.

"Shame on the leasing companies for not preventing these situations. But ultimately the regulators, our federal and state governments, have to share the blame. They have known about this type of scam and have done little or nothing to prevent them from happening again. My state, VA, is particularly guilty of doing nothing and, in fact, continues to be one of the most big business-friendly, anti-consumer states in the country. Nobody seems to have heard the message that NorV sent out loud and clear."

(Alexa Reports, working with Google, ranks web sites, with the most visited sites being #1 and so on. They are ranked by traffic. There is other information available, but in the posting you are referring to they include the leasing web sites and the higher the number, the less traffic they receive. Some are a lot higher, meaning less traffic, less being read, than others, so the lower the ranking, the better rating. Editor)

"Thank you for sharing this customers' voice. As a suggestion to the solution I would like to add:
in times of economic downturn it seems that doing less with the same number of people is not the answer (at least not in the long term). However, a lot of companies are downsizing more than necessary and/or 'forget' to resize when the business is up again.

"Nobody would discourage businesses to improve the bottom line, but if you want to limit the number of people doing the same amount of work, you need to work differently or risk losing quality, morale and your top performers.

"Companies should focus on processes and not capacity: it is the means, not the end. An effective process is efficient by necessity, and will give you competitive edge in bad and good times!"

"I would like to offer you my strong support and congratulations for your recent introduction of Adopt-A-Pet within the Leasing News. I have been very involved with an animal rescue organization over the past 6 years and I am certain that many people don't realize that as bad as these current economic times have been for humans, they have been deadly for our animal friends. Most animal shelters are overloaded with abandoned and unwanted pets and these dogs and cats usually only have a few days before being put down. Animal rescue services go into the shelters, rescue these animals and place them into temporary foster homes until a more permanent home can be found. I highly encourage your readers to contact their local animal rescue service and be a volunteer foster home for an unwanted animal. It takes so little effort and expense to save one of these innocent lives."

"We rescued a dog from a shelter a little over a week ago. His name is now Farfel. He is a 3 year old beagle hound mix who was rescued from a "kill" shelter in downstate Illinois. We're having great fun with him!

"By the way, I'm no longer working in the leasing business but I continue to read your website with great interest. A few years ago, I went back to school and then passed the CPA exam. I'm now controller of 2 companies (manufacturing and law firm) and I assist a sole practitioner during tax season. For your readers thinking about it, there is life after leasing."

Regards,
Richard Eichner
accounting@mlpseating.com

"Do you know if Marlin is charging evergreen or wintergreen rent on dollar out leases? They say 71% of their leases are dollar outs. The $5.3MM in evergreen income as of Q3/09 (net of depreciation) compares to $744k in net operating income. Without the evergreen income, they would be losing over $4MM YTD. They LIVE off of the evergreen income. If they are charging it on their dollar out leases, they are very vulnerable to a class action lawsuit that would wipe out this practice and the sole source of their profits. Not sure if my logic is correct but I think so. Please do not publish this inquiry. I am just wondering about a deeper story here."

"They (Marlin) also offer their vendors the option to share the evergreen - sales explains to vendor that it helps to lock their client and service of vendor. They also offer the same share with the IR (interim rent) charges."

Signed,
Anonymous

"I was very surprised to see Frances FitzGerald and her birthday headlined in Leasing News. Fire in the Lake was, and is, a magnificent book to read. I read the book when it came out and, in another life, I was calling on a professor who was setting up a new course on Vietnam and asked him what books he was going to use in the course. They were dreadful books. I took him over to the college bookstore and pointed out Fire in the Lake, The Best and the Brightest and another book by a Colonel Colson whose title I cannot recall just now. Upon a return visit he told me that the students enjoyed Fire in the Lake immensely. It is a book I wish many more people had read.

"If you don’t mind a recommendation, as your son is involved in the Iraq and Afghanistan arena, I think Learning to Eat Soup with a Knife: Counterinsurgency Lessons from Malaya and Vietnam by John Nagl is quite an interesting read. While I doubt it will win any awards it is an instructive book on counterinsurgency efforts of the British and American armies."

"Financial institutions generally reported steady to weaker loan demand, continued tight credit standards, and steady or deteriorating loan quality. In the agricultural sector, the fall harvest was delayed in the eastern half of the nation due to excessively wet conditions during October and early November..."

"Banks reported steady to softer conditions in most Districts. Loan demand was said to have weakened in the New York, Philadelphia, Cleveland, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Dallas Districts. New York noted particular weakness in demand for home mortgage loans, whereas Richmond and St. Louis reported this to be the strongest segment of late. For the most part, the weakness appears to have been concentrated in the commercial sector, though Boston and Chicago reported some pickup in commercial real estate lending--largely refinancing. Credit quality showed signs of deteriorating in the New York, Philadelphia, Dallas, and San Francisco Districts but was described as stable or mixed in Cleveland, Chicago, and Kansas City, with Chicago reporting some improvement outside of commercial real estate. Increasingly tight credit standards were reported in the New York, Richmond, Chicago, St. Louis, Dallas, and San Francisco--largely on commercial loans."

5 years experience with established vendor relationships. We offer great funding capacity for transactions $10k to $10MM. Quail Company's established for over 30 years. Submit resume to: jrudin@quailcap.com

About the company: Quail Equipment Leasing 17 years inbusiness with the ability to develop specialized programs forvendors and unique industries: $10K to $10MM.

In theaters, “Up in the Air” offers light comedy in difficult times, while “Bad Lieutenant” is, believe it or not, one of the year’s funniest movies. DVD releases include a modern yuletide classic (“A Christmas Tale”), a fascinating gangster thriller (“Public Enemies”), and the chance to see a great actress having the time of her life (“Julie & Julia”).

Up in the Air (Paramount Pictures): Jason Reitman (“Juno”) offers another crowd-pleasing comedy-drama in this smooth story of romance and salvation, which is already gathering talk of Oscar nominations. Dashing as ever, George Clooney plays Ryan, a devout bachelor whose job involves delivering the bad news to downsized corporate employees. He enjoys the perks of his job, until he meets Natalie (Anna Kendrick), a young upstart who threatens his own position, and Alex (Vera Farmiga), the woman who gives him a taste of his own medicine. Will Ryan reconsider his own attitudes, or will he plunge deeper into a life of suave cynicism? Though taking place in the midst of tough economic times, the movie’s spirits remain high and satisfying, making it an unique romantic comedy with a message.

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (First Look Studios): The story of a corrupt and morally bankrupt police officer was already filmed in 1992 by director Abel Ferrara as a tragedy. Instead of just remaking it, however, legendary German filmmaker Werner Herzog (“Grizzly Man”) shoots it as a pitch-black comedy about the limits of human experience. In his best performance in years, Nicolas Cage stars as Terence McDonagh, a homicide lieutenant making his way through the vice-filled streets of post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans. Can his soul triumph over sin, or will Terence join the crime all around him? Though often dark, the material is surprisingly played for eccentric laughs and unexpected lyricism, a risky decision pulled off brilliantly by the cast. Not for the squeamish, but certainly worth a look.

Netflix tip: Sometimes the best choices come from surprising combinations. When searching for titles, don’t be afraid to mix categories, because you never know what might come up when you put “Foreign,” “Westerns” and “Classics” together.

New on DVD:

A Christmas Tale (Criterion): One of the most interesting filmmakers working today, French director Arnaud Desplechin offers a tragicomic banquet with this irresistible seasonal story. It follows the travails of the Vuillards, a large family often plagued by emotional and physical upheavals but is determined to put all troubles aside and pull through for the sake of the beloved matriarch Junon (French cinema legend Catherine Deneuve). With a record number of squabbling relatives and uncomfortable secrets, however, it’s a job easier said than done. Even though there’s no shortage of drama, the movie’s mood remains exhilarating, buoyed by strong emotions and an exceptional cast. With the holidays drawing near, audiences will have the chance to discover a new Christmas favorite to set aside the old classics. With subtitles.

Public Enemies (Universal Pictures): With the mix of visceral thrills and stylistic experimentation in "Collateral" and "Miami Vice", Michael Mann has become the most intriguing action director now at work. In this sleek, rousing portrait of the legendary Depression-era outlaw John Dillinger (excellently played by Johnny Depp), Mann goes even further by telling a story in 1930s dressing that, thanks to his use of digital video cameras, plays with a striking, present-tense feel. Following Dillinger's bank-robbing spree as he meets fellow criminal Baby Face Nelson (Stephen Graham), takes up with girlfriend Billie Frechette (Marion Cotillard) and is chased by government agent Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale), Mann whips up a visually arresting tale that's unlike any other crime drama in recent years.

Julie & Julia (Sony): Meryl Streep is one of today's acting legends, and it's great to see take a holiday from heavy dramas in this lightweight, enjoyable comedy. Following her Oscar-nominated turn in "Doubt," Streep has a blast playing famous chef Julia Child, whose culinary efforts (including hosting her own TV show) broke through gender prejudices in the 1960s. Meanwhile, in the present, a parallel story follows Julie Powell (Amy Adams), a young blogger and aspiring writer who spends a year following Child's recipes to the letter. Director Norah Ephron ("Sleepless in Seattle," "You've Got Mail") is an experienced hand at dishing out this sort of comedic soufflé, and, even when the combination of the two stories falters, the two actresses remain a joy to watch.

Bare root roses are the easiest to plant and grow faster when transplant rather than from a pot; sometimes up to more than a year faster. In addition, when you purchase early you will get the top of the crop, and in a number of cases, some of the varieties sell out early.

You can keep the bare root dormant in the cold weather and plant when the soil is ready ( depending on your climate.) I usually prune in February and plant soon thereafter, right before spring, but this is a very warm climate in Santa Clara Valley.

One of the best roses I have grown in quite some time is "Firefighter" from Edmunds Roses, an exclusive. It is not only a beautiful red color, but extremely fragrant, quite prolific, especially for a young plant, and tall growing, meaning is not only a garden rose but for cutting, too. While Mr. Lincoln is a long time favorite, "Firefighter" is more hardy, more prolific, and in this climate, more fragrant.

I would always recommend "Double Delight" and for a hedge, this miniature that grows to two feet tall: "Gourmet Popcorn." Climbing Iceberg is my favorite climber, white and very fragrant, also small booms, but quite profuse and very prolific.

Many of the roses being sold by florists and large markets such as Whole Foods are Columbian, Ecuador, and other countries in South America. I have taken them and been able to grow new ones just from the stems they are so strong. But they are also fussy in the garden, more "hot house" than California climate.

Some of my favorite multi-color roses are Joseph’s Coat, a landscaping rose, as well as the changing color of Gold Medal. If you like lavender, “Heirloom” has the best aroma, in my opinion. At my former office, I grew 400 roses and my former house several thousand and was quite active in hybridizing and importing new roses: the first to bring the Paul McCartney rose to the United States, beautiful and fragrant but a weak neck in this climate.

"This is my very favorite!! He is Blind and terrified...again imagine living for 2 years in a cage AND being blind AND being terrified.

He is available for fostering and really needs someone to show him some love!!

“All of the dogs in this have very sad stories to tell- but this dog is the one that haunts me. I met him at the beginning of 2006 and since then I have thought about the fact that after all this time he is STILL in that cage- STILL shaking with fear. Then I think about the life he had even before going into the shelter."

Half of Franchise Business Leaders Cite Access to Credit as Top Concern

WASHINGTON—A $3.4 billion shortfall in lending to franchise businesses in 2010 will result in 134,000 jobs not created and $13.9 billion in economic output lost, according to new data released today by the International Franchise Association.

“Our data show that while there will be sufficient capital for franchise development in 2010, banks' continued risk aversion is limiting their willingness to lend,” said IFA President & CEO Matthew Shay. “A slow recovery with limited job growth underscores the importance of protecting and encouraging lending to small businesses, which account for 60 percent of all U.S. jobs. Immediately passing enhancements to government lending programs can shore up the $3.4 billion shortfall in lending. New franchise businesses can create much needed jobs – which will speed the U.S. economic recovery.”

The updated version of Small Business Lending Matrix and Analysis prepared for the IFA Educational Foundation by FRANdata, demonstrates the impact of the continuing credit crisis on the franchising sectors’ ability to recover from the recession, to develop new franchise units, and in doing so, create more jobs for the U.S. economy. Shay said that the Lending report and a new IFA Business Leader Survey are key components of the IFA 2010 Economic Outlook for Franchise Business that will predict the outlook for total jobs, units and economic output across 10 franchise business format sectors. The 2010 Outlook is scheduled for release mid-December.

The Lending report states that $1 million in franchise lending creates or protects an estimated 40 jobs and generates an estimated $4.2 million in economic activity.

“Increasing capital flow into the franchising sector can have a very positive impact on the pace of the U.S. economy,” Shay said. “Likewise, constrained capital flow will have a negative impact on franchising sector growth and the U.S. economic recovery.”

The report estimates that banks are expected to lend $6.7 billion to franchises in 2010 versus the $10.1 billion that would meet 100 percent of demand. The shortfall can be attributed to banks’ conservative approach to a weak economic outlook and uncertainty in the commercial real estate market. At 100 percent lending, franchise business could create or maintain 305,000 jobs and $32 billion of annual economic output in 2010. The $3.4 billion shortfall in lending would result in 134,000 total jobs not created or maintained and $13.9 billion of annual economic output.

IFA Policy Recommendations
“Franchise businesses are critical to job creation in this country, providing for 21 million jobs,” Shay said. “As Congress and the Administration look for new ideas to stimulate the economy and create jobs, increasing access to capital for franchise businesses should be at the top of the list.”

Shay said that as in 2009, the Small Business Administration will have a critical role in 2010. FRANdata estimates that if changes are made to the SBA loan programs, available credit could increase in 2010 to $7.8 billion resulting in 46,000 additional jobs and $4.8 billion in additional economic output.

IFA has worked throughout 2009 with Congress and the Obama Administration to encourage important changes to the SBA loan programs that would improve this lending outlook, including:

• Increasing the maximum Small Business Administration loan limits from $2 million to $5 million.

• Re-institute the borrower fees on all 7(a) loans with amortizations over 15 years while eliminating or reducing lender fees on all 7(a) loans with amortizations under 15 years or alternatively on true start-ups with all amortizations.

• Make the 90 percent guarantee permanent for all loans with amortizations under 15 years, and adding a 100 percent guarantee for the first two years of a franchise start-up. For loans with amortizations over 15 years, restore the 75 percent guarantee.

Franchise Business Leader Sentiment
The reports’ conclusion supports the results of a new IFA Franchise Business Leader Survey also released today. Franchise business leaders are more optimistic (51.3 percent) about how the U.S economy will perform in the next 12 months than they were a year ago (24.6 percent). These business leaders have a less optimistic outlook for unit growth than 12 months ago due to ongoing challenges in accessing credit for new franchise prospects and for existing franchisee expansion. While more than 78 percent of those surveyed expect moderate to significant increases in franchise units, this compares to nearly 86 percent of those surveyed a year ago.

The survey shows the issues of greatest concern currently and in the year ahead are financing and access to capital. Nearly half of the survey respondents (49.2 percent) ranked “financing and access to capital” as their greatest concern followed by nearly one quarter of survey respondents (23.8 percent) who ranked “franchise sales/development” as their next greatest concern.

Survey respondents are somewhat optimistic about business conditions in the next 12 months than those surveyed a year ago. More than 40 percent of respondents stated that they expect business conditions will be “somewhat good” in the next 12 months, compared to only 25 percent of those surveyed in November 2008. Less than 20 percent (18.8 percent) stated they expect business conditions to be “somewhat poor,” compared to one-third (33.5 percent) in November 2008.

Half of the franchise business leaders surveyed indicated their employment levels to “stay about the same” in the year ahead, while 45 percent stated they plan to increase employment moderately to significantly, and only 5 percent stated they plan to decrease employment moderately.

About The International Franchise Association
The International Franchise Association, the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising, is the preeminent voice and acknowledged leader for the industry worldwide. Approaching a half-century of service with a growing membership of more than 1,250 franchise systems, 10,000-plus franchisees and more than 500 firms that supply goods and services to the industry, IFA protects, enhances and promotes franchising by advancing the values of integrity, respect, trust, commitment to excellence, honesty and diversity. For more information, visit the IFA Web site at www.franchise.org.

1908-Football uniform numerals sewn on the players’ uniforms to enable the spectators easily to distinguish the players were used by the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, this day for the game against Washington and Jefferson College. The score was 14-0 in favor of Washington and Jefferson. The idea was so popular, the sewing of numbers of jersey swept all sports from this game.

1584 --Birthday of John Cotton, English-born Puritan clergyman (The Way of the Church of Christ in New England). Cotton, a much loved figure in New England, wrote several pamphlets including, Democracy as Detrimental to Church and State (1636), The Way of the Churches of Christ in New England (1645), Spiritual Milk for Babes (1646) and The Way of Congregational Churches Cleared (1648). John Cotton died in Boston, Massachusetts, on 23rd December, 1652.http://www.reformedreader.org/ccc/cotton.htmhttp://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/history/dfg/amrl/cotton1.htm
1619-A “Thanksgiving” was first held by thirty-eight Englishman who left their ship to eventually start Jamestown in Virginia. Plantations were built on this site. Many remain today.
( lower half of:http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/dec04.html)
1674 -French Jesuit missionary Jacques Marquette erected a mission on the shores of Lake Michigan, in present-day Illinois. His log cabin became the first building of a settlement that afterward grew to become the city of Chicago.http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilcoles/french.htm
1776-The first capture of an enemy ship waters was accomplished by the 16-gun brig Reprisal, which sailed for France on December 4, 1776, under the command of Captain Lambert Wickes. One of the passengers was Benja min Franklin, who was traveling incognito to Auray, France, to obtain French assistance. On the way over, the Reprisal captured two British vessels. It captured two others in the Bay of Biscay, one of which was the King’s packet plying between Falmouth and Lisbon. This was the first time an American warship entered ene my waters and the first attempt to block and destroy British commerce at the source. Reprisal foundered during a gale in September 1778 and Captain Wickes and all his crew except the cook were lost at the Grand Banks of Newfoundland.http://famousamericans.net/lambertwickes/http://www.cmptp.com/0922249039.htm
1779- This is considered the first law school in the United States. George Wythe was appointed professor of law and police at the College of William and Mary Williamsburg, VA, where students paid by students paying for the course. The first college law school to be permanently organized was the Harvard College School of Law, Cambridge, MA, which was opened 1817.
1783- - General George Washington issued his ``Farewell Address to the Army'' near Princeton, New Jersey. By this time some 100,000 “loyalist” had fled the U.S. Also known as “Tories,” they had suffered various penalties for their loyalty to the Crown, including confiscation of property, removal from public office, and punitive taxation. Probably no more than 10% of the colonials were Tories, who were generally well-to-do, engage in commerce or the professions, or public officials. Many fled to Canada, some to England. Some returned after the war. Many, however, had remained behind. After the conflict many were able to recover at least some of their confiscated property.http://www.publicbookshelf.com/public_html/The_Great_Republic_By_the_Mas
ter_Historians_Vol_II/georgewas_hj.htmlhttp://www.collectiblemeals.com/library/Washington_George2.php
1786- Mission Santa Barbara was founded. This was a Franciscan Mission for the Indians, located in Santa Barbara, CA. The present structure is the fourth to stand on the same site. The last one was destroyed by the 1813 earthquake. Today is also St. Barbara’s Day, the saint who the mission was named after. In 1970, the Roman Catholic Church officially stopped recognizing her as a Saint, stating the history could not be verified.http://www.californiamissions.com/cahistory/santabarbara.htmlhttp://www.sbmission.org/home.html
1786-The first National Grange was founded. This was the first organized agricultural movement in the US.
1786 - The first of two great early December storms began. The storm produced 18 inches of snow at Morristown NJ, and twenty inches of snow at New Haven CT. It also resulted in high tides at Nantucket which did great damage.
1816- James Monroe was elected president of the United States. Daniel D. Tompkins was elected vice president. Monroe, secretary of state under President James Madison, gained the presidency in a landslide victory of his Federalist opponent, Rufus King of New York. The presidential electoral vote was Madison, 183; King, 34, and four abstentions. The presidential election of 1816 resulted in continuation of the so-called Virginia dynasty of presidents that had begun with Thomas Jefferson’s election in 1800. The Democratic-Republican candidate was James Monroe of Virginia, who had been wounded in the American Revolution, and has served as diplomat, senator and secretary of state. The Federalists by now scarcely existed as a national political party. They nominated Rufus King, who had been a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and one of New York’s first senators. He carried only Massachusetts, Connecticut and Delaware. By 1820, the Federalist party ceased to exist.http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/jm5.html
1844- James K. Polk was elected president of the United States by a popular vote of 1,337,243 against 1,299,068 for Henry Clay, the Whig candidate, and 62,300 for James B. Birney, the Liberty candidate. Birney’s strong was showing in New York cost Clay the state’s electoral votes and the election. The electoral vote was Polk, 170; Clay, 105. The presidential election campaign of 1844 saw some unusual happenings in American politics. President John Tyler wanted a term in his own right, and a Democratic faction nominated him in 1844. It was clear, however, that he stood no chance, and he withdrew on August 20, becoming the first president who did not stand for a second term. At the Democratic National Convention, former President Martin Van Buren tired to secure the nomination, but could not muster enough support, largely because of his opposition to the annexation of Texas. The Democrats nominated the first so-called dark horse in U.S. History, James K. Polk of Tennessee. The Whigs unanimously nominated Henry Clay of Kentucky for the presidency. There was a third party this year, the Liberty Party, which in 1843 had nominated James. G. Birney of Kentucky on an antislavery platform. The Democratic platform was nationlistic, calling for the annexation of Texas and control of the entire Oregon Territory, then shared with England. The Whig platform was more general making no reference to Texas or to question of a national bank. The main opposition came from antislavery forces who were opposed because Texas was certain to become a salve state. Others wanted to act lest Great Britain or France develop a relationship with the Republic of Texas, who's independence Mexico refused to recognized. The Texas Annexation Treaty failed to win the necessary two-thirds vote for passage in the Senate on June 8. Henry Clay, in the so-called Alabama letters, stated the he had no objection to the annexation of Texas if it could be done “ without dishonor, without war. Clay’s ambivalence on Texas probably lost him the presidency. It was Tyler, who when elected, pushed the joint resolution, even though the Senate had originally rejected it.http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/jp11.htmlhttp://www.jameskpolk.com/
1843- Manila paper was invented by John Mark and Lyman Hollingsworth of South Braintree, MA, partners under the firm name of J.M. and L. Hollingsworth, who received a patent this day. They manufactured it from hemp sales, canvas, and rope.
1851-Felt hats for women were introduced in New York City by John Nicholas Genin, who took low-crowned soft black hats, fastened the left side of the brim of each to the crown, and ornamented it with a black feather. Prior to this time, women wore bonnets. Genin created the new style to celebrate the arrival of Lajos Kossuth, the Hungarian patriot, who ar rived in New York City on December 5, 1851, on board the Mississippi.
1854 -Birthday of Mary Reed, American Methodist missionary. She died in 1943, having spent the last 52 years of her life ministering to the lepers of India.
1861-The U.S. Senate, voting 36 to 0, expels Senator John C. Brekinridge of Kentucky because of his joining the Confederate Army. He had been the Southern Democrats candidate for president against Republican candidate Abraham Lincoln.http://www.east-buc.k12.ia.us/99_00/CW/dms/dms.htm
1861-Birthday of Lillian Russell.. She was perhaps the first female American “star.” She was a very popular singer and actress, who in 1881 gained fame in the comic opera The Great Mogul. Born Helen Louise Leonard at Clinton, IA, she died June 6, 1922, at Pittsburgh, PA.
1865-Birthday of Luther Hasley Gulick, sports administrator, born at Hon olulu, HI. A pioneer in the YMCA, Gulick designed the triangular logo symbolizing the physical, emotional and intellectual development that is still the Y’s goal. While working in Springfield, MA, in 1891, Gulick persuaded Dr. James Naismith to devise an indoor game for use dur ing the winter at the School for Christian Workers. The result was basketball. Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959. Died at South Casco, ME, Aug 13, 1918
1869-Pipe or screw wrench that was practical was the Stillson wrench, invented by Daniel C. Stillson of Somerville, MA, who obtained a patent this day. Stillson whittled the first model out of wood in 1869.
1875-Boss Tweed escapes prison, fleas to Spain, disguised as a seaman. He was recognized by a likeness to the famous cartoon about him, captured, and died in debtor’s prison in New York.http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/dec04.html
1903 -- American mystery author Cornell Woolrich born. Since 1938, the suspense fiction of Woolrich, alias William Irish, has been adapted into more than 20 films, best know for writing “Rear Window.” Died an alcoholic September 25,1968http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0941280/http://www.noircity.com/gallery1.htmlhttp://www.bastulli.com/Woolrich/Woolrich.htmhttp://members.toast.net/woolrich/black.htm
1906-Alpha Phi Alpha was formed by members of a social study club, and it became the first national college fraternity for African-American men. The first president was George B. Kelley. The first chapter was started at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, and the second, in 1908, at Howard University, Washington, DC.http://www.alphaphialpha.net/alpha/legacy/index.html
1908-Football uniform numerals sewn on the players’ uniforms to enable the spectators easily to distinguish the players were used by the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, this day for the game against Washington and Jefferson College. The score was 14-0 in favor of Washington and Jefferson. The idea was so popular, the sewing of numbers of jersey swept all sports from this game.
1909-Amersterdam News founded in New York, a newspaper devoted to the black community.http://cti.itc.virginia.edu/~aas405a/newspaper.html
www.AmersterdamNews,org
1915-Birthday of Eddie Heywood, Atlanta, GA; composer of Canadian Sunset, Soft Summer Breeze.
1927-Duke Ellington opens at the Cotton Club in Harlem. He stays there for five years.
1930---Birthday of jazz guitarist Jim Hall Birthdayhttp://www.gould68.freeserve.co.uk/JimHall3.htmlhttp://www.lushlife.com/jimhall/
1930--Birthday of Harvey Edward Kuenn, Jr., baseball player and manager; born at Milwaukee, WI. Kuenn was a fine-hitting short stop and outfielder in both leagues. He managed the 1982 Milwaukee Brewers, known as “Harvey’s Wallbangers,’~ to the American League pennant. Died at Peoria, IL, Feb 28, 1988
1933 - "Tobacco Road", a play based on Erskine Caldwell’s book, premiered at the Masque Theatre in New York City. The play ran for eight years and 3,182 shows.
1940 – Birthday of Freddy ‘Boom Boom’ Cannon (Frederick Anthony Picariello) (singer: Tallahassee Lassie, Way Down Yonder in New Orleans, Palisades Park, Transistor Sister)
1947 -- Tennessee William's play A Streetcar Named Desire premieres on Broadway starring Marlon Brando and Jessica Tandy.
1949---Top Hits
Don’t Cry, Joe - The Gordon Jenkins Orchestra (vocal: Betty Brewer)
I Can Dream, Can’t I? - The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (vocal: Jack Leonard)
That Lucky Old Sun - Frankie Laine
Slipping Around - Margaret Whiting & Jimmy Wakely
1950 -- The University of Tennessee defies court rulings by rejecting five Negro applicants. 1950 — Los Angeles wide receiver Tom Fears celebrates his 27th birthday by making an NFL record 18 receptions for 189 yards and two touchdowns in the Rams' 51-14 victory over Green Bay. 1950--DAVIS, RAYMOND G. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps commanding officer, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.). Place and date: Vicinity Hagaru-ri, Korea, 1 through 4 December 1950. Entered service at: Atlanta, Ga. Born: 13 January 1915, Fitzgerald, Ga. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, in action against enemy aggressor forces. Although keenly aware that the operation involved breaking through a surrounding enemy and advancing 8 miles along primitive icy trails in the bitter cold with every passage disputed by a savage and determined foe, Lt. Col. Davis boldly led his battalion into the attack in a daring attempt to relieve a beleaguered rifle company and to seize, hold, and defend a vital mountain pass controlling the only route available for 2 marine regiments in danger of being cut off by numerically superior hostile forces during their re-deployment to the port of Hungnam. When the battalion immediately encountered strong opposition from entrenched enemy forces commanding high ground in the path of the advance, he promptly spearheaded his unit in a fierce attack up the steep, ice-covered slopes in the face of withering fire and, personally leading the assault groups in a hand-to-hand encounter, drove the hostile troops from their positions, rested his men, and reconnoitered the area under enemy fire to determine the best route for continuing the mission. Always in the thick of the fighting Lt. Col. Davis led his battalion over 3 successive ridges in the deep snow in continuous attacks against the enemy and, constantly inspiring and encouraging his men throughout the night, brought his unit to a point within 1,500 yards of the surrounded rifle company by daybreak. Although knocked to the ground when a shell fragment struck his helmet and 2 bullets pierced his clothing, he arose and fought his way forward at the head of his men until he reached the isolated marines. On the following morning, he bravely led his battalion in securing the vital mountain pass from a strongly entrenched and numerically superior hostile force, carrying all his wounded with him, including 22 litter cases and numerous ambulatory patients. Despite repeated savage and heavy assaults by the enemy, he stubbornly held the vital terrain until the 2 regiments of the division had deployed through the pass and, on the morning of 4 December, led his battalion into Hagaru-ri intact. By his superb leadership, outstanding courage, and brilliant tactical ability, Lt. Col. Davis was directly instrumental in saving the beleaguered rifle company from complete annihilation and enabled the 2 marine regiments to escape possible destruction. His valiant devotion to duty and unyielding fighting spirit in the face of almost insurmountable odds enhance and sustain the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
1950--HUDNER, THOMAS JEROME, JR. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Lieutenant (J.G.) U.S. Navy, pilot in Fighter Squadron 32, attached to U.S.S. Leyte. Place and date: Chosin Reservoir area of Korea, 4 December 1950. Entered service at: Fall River, Mass. Born: 31 August 1924, Fall River, Mass. Citation. For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a pilot in Fighter Squadron 32, while attempting to rescue a squadron mate whose plane struck by antiaircraft fire and trailing smoke, was forced down behind enemy lines. Quickly maneuvering to circle the downed pilot and protect him from enemy troops infesting the area, Lt. (J.G.) Hudner risked his life to save the injured flier who was trapped alive in the burning wreckage. Fully aware of the extreme danger in landing on the rough mountainous terrain and the scant hope of escape or survival in subzero temperature, he put his plane down skillfully in a deliberate wheels-up landing in the presence of enemy troops. With his bare hands, he packed the fuselage with snow to keep the flames away from the pilot and struggled to pull him free. Unsuccessful in this, he returned to his crashed aircraft and radioed other airborne planes, requesting that a helicopter be dispatched with an ax and fire extinguisher. He then remained on the spot despite the continuing danger from enemy action and, with the assistance of the rescue pilot, renewed a desperate but unavailing battle against time, cold, and flames. Lt. (J.G.) Hudner's exceptionally valiant action and selfless devotion to a shipmate sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
1951- The parking garage that was completely automated was the Park-O-Mat Garage opened in Washington, DC, by the Parking Services company. A car could be parked or returned in 50 seconds. The garage was an open building with 16 floors and 2 basement levels. Two elevators parked 72 cars on a lot 25 by 40 feet. There were no ramps, no aisles, no lanes, and only one atten dant, who used push-button controls and did not enter the cars. The “vehicle parking appara tus” was patented on October 14, 1947, by Richard L. Sinclair of Los Angeles, CA
1957- Fats Domino records "I'm Walkin'" in New Orleans. The single will reach #4 on the pop chart and Number One on the R&B chart in April.
1957-Former heavyweight boxing champ Joe Louis appears on "The Steve Allen Show" to introduce singer Solomon Burke, who performs Louis' "You
Can Run, but You Can't Hide." 1957-After hearing reports that many US radio stations had banned Elvis' Christmas album because of their shock over "the Pelvis" singing religious songs, DJ Allen Brooks of CKWS in Kingston, Ontario, plays the entire album and invites listeners to call in their opinion. Of eight hundred callers, only 56 disapprove of Presley's sacred music.
1957---Top Hits
Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
April Love - Pat Boone
Raunchy - Bill Justis
Wake Up Little Susie - The Everly Brothers 1960-After reaching #28 with their first chart entry, "Honest I Do" earlier in the year, Kathy Young and The Innocents attain their only US Top 10 hit when "A Thousand Stars" tops out at #3.
1961-Gene Chandler's "Duke of Earl" is released on Vee Jay Records. By the first week of February, 1962, it would reach number one in the US, on its way to selling over one million copies worldwide.
1961- Syracuse University halfback and Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis became the first African American to be selected first in the NFL draft when he was picked by the Washington Redskins.
1964 - one of the worst ice storms on record was in progress across Massachusetts and eastern New York. Ice accretions reached 1.5 inches in some places. Well over 80,000 homes lost power. Some homes did not have power for 5 days. 1964-The Beatles released their fourth album, "Beatles For Sale", which would spend 11 weeks as the #1 album in the UK.
1964-Nine hundred students boycott classes at Berkeley, during Free Speech Movement. A small movement is about to explode (in three days) on campus.
1965---Top Hits
Turn! Turn! Turn! - The Byrds
1-2-3 - Len Barry
I Got You (I Feel Good) - James Brown
Make the World Go Away - Eddy Arnold
1965-Fender Guitars is sold to CBS for $13 million. Fender guitars, along with Gibson's, are a favorite brand among rock & rollers. 1965-The Byrds' scored their second US number one hit with "Turn, Turn, Turn". Unlike their first chart topper, "Mr. Tambourine Man", the entire band was allowed to play on the recording, instead of studio musicians. "Turn, Turn, Turn" made it to #26 in the UK.
1965-Acid Test. The second Acid Test was held at "Big Nig's" house in San Jose. It featured the Warlocks band (future Grateful Dead), a light show, and was attended by some 400 people.
1969-Fred Hampton, chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party, killed by Chicago police while he was sleeping. Mark Clark as also killed. Nearly a hundred bullets had been fired in what police described as a fierce gun battle with members of the Black Panther Party. However, ballistics experts later determined that only one of those bullets came from the Panthers' side. In addition, the "bullet holes" in the front door of the apartment, which police pointed to as evidence that the Panthers had been shooting from within the apartment, were actually nail holes created by police in an attempt to cover up the attack.http://www.providence.edu/afro/students/panther/hamptonsr.htmlhttp://www.africanpubs.com/Apps/bios/0213HamptonFred.asp?pic=nonehttp://www.providence.edu/afro/students/panther/hamptonjr.htmlhttp://www.inpdum.com/fred_is_free(spear).htm1970-The classic rock album, "Supersession", a recorded jam session with Mike Bloomfield (Electric Flag), Al Kooper (Blood, Sweat and Tears) and Steve Stills (Buffalo Springfield), is certified Gold.
1970-Cesar Chavez jailed for 20 days for refusing to call off United Farm Workers lettuce boycott, Salinas, California. 1971-Don McLean's "American Pie" enters Billboard's Hot 100. The eight and a half minute song will eventually sell over 3 million copies and become one of the most discussed, dissected and debated songs that popular music has ever produced. 1971-Sly and the Family Stone's "Family Affair" begins a three-week stint at the number one spot on Billboard's Hot 100. It is their third and final chart topper and their last to make the Top Ten. 1971-Led Zeppelin started a two week run at the top of the UK album chart with the "Four Symbols" album. Featuring the 8 minute track, "Stairway To Heaven", the LP stayed on the US chart for nearly 5 years, selling over 11 million copies.1972 - Billy Paul from Philadelphia received a gold record for his smash hit, "Me and Mrs. Jones".
1972 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "I Am Woman," Helen Reddy.
1972 - Winds gusting to 70 mph sent the temperatures at Livingston, MT plunging from 52 degrees to 18 degrees in just 20 minutes
1973---Top Hits
Top of the World - Carpenters
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - Elton John
Just You ’n’ Me - Chicago
The Most Beautiful Girl - Charlie Rich 1976-A year after leaving The Guess Who, lead singer Burton Cummings is awarded a Gold record for his million selling, US Top Ten, solo hit, "Stand Tall."
1981- “ Falcon Crest” premiered on television. This nighttime serial was set in Napa County, making the California wine country famous to the general public. It originally focused on Angela Channing’s mined efforts to gain control of the Falcon Crest vineyard winery; later the emphasis turned to crime. Famous actors. were a part of the cast at one time or another include: Wyman, Lorenzo Lamas, Billy R. Moses, Cliff Robertson, Turner, Gina Lollobrigida, Parker Stevenson, Anne Archer, Ionia, Cesar Romero, Morgan Fairchild, Ken Olin and Mary Mobley. In the season finale, Angela received Falcon Crest ;everyone was happy.
1981 -- President Ronald Reagan broadens the power of the CIA by allowing spying in the United States.
1981---Top Hits
Physical - Olivia Newton-John
Waiting for a Girl like You - Foreigner
Every Little Thing She Does is Magic - The Police
My Favorite Memory - Merle Haggard
1982 - The temperature in New York City's Central Park reached 72 degrees to establish a record high for December. The month as a whole was also the warmest of record.
1985 - Dallas, Texas became the largest city in the United States to pass a no smoking law for restaurants. ‘Big D’ added another ‘biggest’ to its list.
1987-IBM shipped the first version of its multitasking operating system, OS/2. IBM had developed the system as a way to free itself of MS-DOS, which Microsoft had designed and still owned: Microsoft would code OS/2 to IBM's design specifications. Far from freeing IBM from Microsoft's domination, OS/2 almost accelerated the process. IBM initially developed the program to run on the 286 processor, not the more powerful 386, which contributed to the system's failure to catch on with many businesses. Meanwhile, early versions of Windows continued to gain ground, and with the launch of Windows 3.0 in 1990, Microsoft quickly became the leader in operating systems.
1989---Top Hits
Blame It on the Rain - Milli Vanilli
We Didn’t Start the Fire - Billy Joel
(It’s Just) The Way That You Love Me - Paula Abdul
It’s Just a Matter of Time - Randy Travis
1989 - Seventeen cities in the eastern U.S., including nine in Florida, reported record low temperatures for the date. Lakeland FL reported a record low of 31 degrees, and Watertown NY was the cold spot in the nation with a low of 20 degrees below zero.
1991-A sad chapter in U.S. history came to a close when Terry Anderson, an Associated Press correspondent became the final American hostage held in Lebanon to be freed. Anderson had been held since March 16, 1985, one of 15 Americans who were held hostage for from two months to as long as six years and eight months. Three of the hostages, William Buckley, Peter Kilburn and Lieutenant Colonel William Higgins, were killed during their captivity.
1992 - Flagstaff, AZ was buried under 23 inches of snow and Sandia Peak, NM had 22 inches.
1995-The 746-pound Galileo spacecraft launched in October, 1989 from Cape Canaveral, FL, entered Jupiter’s upper cloud layer. It descended by parachute several hundred miles before being crushed and vaporized under intense atmospheric pressure. It found out many things, including that Jupiter’s atmosphere lacked water and complex organic molecules. Galileo itself was the first spacecraft to orbit one of the giant outer plants for a long-term survey, and is considered an historic flight.
1995- Netscape, Sun, and two dozen other vendors announced JavaScript, which helped transform ordinary, brochure-like Web sites into dynamic applications. JavaScript was designed to let developers rapidly create Java applications. Netscape included JavaScript in its Web authoring tool, making it quicker and easier to create interactive Web pages.
1996-The first electric car to be mass-produced using modern technology was the Electric Vehicle One, or EVI, market by General Motors. The first models were leased to customers in Los Angeles, CA, at a price tag of $34,000. The two-seater coupe was powered by a 137-horsepower, three-phase induction motor that ran on stored energy in a lead-acid battery pack. The EV1 cold travel 70 to 90 miles between chargings, which took 3 to 12 hours. It reached speeds between 25 to 35 mph.
1997 -- Cincinnati running back Corey Dillon rushes for a rookie record 246 yards in a 41-14 victory over Tennessee.
1999 -- San Francisco Mime Troupe celebrates 40th anniversary for next two days, setting the stage for the Mime Troupe to enter the next millennium empowered by the energy of its collective past.http://www.sfmt.org/ 2002 - An early season winter storm brought an expansive shield of snow and ice through much of the eastern U.S., from the lower Ohio Valley, southern Appalachians and into the Northeast. Snow accumulations of 4-8 inches were common along the northern edge of the precipitation shield, while a significant accrual of glaze occurred in the Carolinas. The storm caused at least 17 fatalities, mostly from traffic accidents (CNN). In the Carolinas, electric utilities provider Duke Power characterized the ice storm as the worst in the company's history, with 1.2 million customers or nearly half its entire customer base without power on the morning of the 5th. This surpassed electrical outages inflicted by Hurricane Hugo as it swept through the central Carolinas in September 1989.2006--McGINNIS, ROSS ANDREW Medal of HonorUnited States Army. Citation. For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty: Private First Class Ross A. McGinnis distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an M2 .50-caliber Machine Gunner, 1st Platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, in connection with combat operations against an armed enemy in Adhamiyah, Northeast Baghdad, Iraq, on 4 December 2006.That afternoon his platoon was conducting combat control operations in an effort to reduce and control sectarian violence in the area. While Private McGinnis was manning the M2 .50-caliber Machine Gun, a fragmentation grenade thrown by an insurgent fell through the gunner's hatch into the vehicle. Reacting quickly, he yelled "grenade," allowing all four members of his crew to prepare for the grenade's blast. Then, rather than leaping from the gunner's hatch to safety, Private McGinnis made the courageous decision to protect his crew. In a selfless act of bravery, in which he was mortally wounded, Private McGinnis covered the live grenade, pinning it between his body and the vehicle and absorbing most of the explosion. Private McGinnis' gallant action directly saved four men from certain serious injury or death. Private First Class McGinnis' extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

But when they could not hear his whistle blow,
Says Harry Hunt, "I'll lay my head
You my board yonder noble ship, my lord,
For I know Sir Andrew he is dead."

With that they boarded this noble ship,
So did they it with might and main;
And found eighteen score Scots alive,
Beside the rest were maimed and slain.

My lord Howard took sword in his hand,
And smote off Sir Andrew's head;
The Scots stood by and did weep and mourn,
But never a word durst speak or say.

He caused his body to be taken down,
And over the hatch board cast into the sea,
And about his middle three hundred crowns:
"Wheresoever thou lands, it will bury thee."

The National Football League (NFL) has had only one head coach with a Harvard degree, but he was an awfully good one: Marv Levy, A.M. '51, who led the Buffalo Bills to four straight Super Bowl appearances--a feat matched by no other coach--was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. At the ceremony, ESPN's Chris Berman introduced Levy by booming out the coach's signature line: "Where would you rather be than right here, right now?"

That question, embodying a Zen-like wisdom, helped focus athletes for the battle. Levy used it before every game for 44 years. His NFL teams compiled a regular-season record of 143-112 and went 11-8 in the postseason. The Bills destroyed opponents with their famous "no-huddle" offense run by flashy quarterback Jim Kelly, and boasted stars like running back Thurman Thomas, receiver André Reed, and defensive end Bruce Smith.

But perhaps Levy's greatest coaching achievement came in remobilizing the Bills each fall during their four-year Super Bowl run, since the team lost each of those big games.

"Losing each one was tremendously disappointing," says Levy, who was 65 when the streak began. "I'd like to be able to say that we won one of them, or all four, but that's not going to change. Yet each time, our athletes showed their resilience--they got right back to work. The only way to win a Super Bowl is to get into it."

After the first loss, a 20-19 heartbreaker to the New York Giants, the coach recalled a small book of poetry his mother had given him when he went into the service, and typed out four lines from an unknown British poet:

"Eight or ten players came up and asked for a copy of that poem," says Levy, who on another occasion cited Hemingway's definition of character as "grace under pressure," suggesting why one newspaper called him a "Renaissance man on the sidelines."

His own college-football career took place at Coe College in Iowa, where Levy was both a running back and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. "I loved the coaches at that small college--their high ideals," he recalls. "They were models who embodied everything I wanted to be." After graduation in 1950, he "reluctantly trudged off" to Harvard Law School, but immediately found himself sitting in classes thinking, "I don't want to be a lawyer--I can't take this." Levy called home to tell his father he was dropping out of law school, and that what he really wanted to do was be a football coach. "There were 30 seconds of painful silence," he recalls, before his father said, "Be a good one."

Levy quickly transferred into a master's program in history at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, where he studied under luminaries such as Arthur Schlesinger Sr., Merle Fainsod, and Sidney B. Fay, who advised Levy's thesis on the Lend-Lease program. The future leader also attended every Harvard football game. "I cannot avow that what I learned at Harvard prepared me precisely for a career as a football coach," Levy wrote in a 1994 memoir for the Phi Beta Kappa newsletter, the Key Reporter. "Perhaps being in an environment where such earnest enthusiasm pervaded all the activities--intellectual and nonacademic--of those who made up the Harvard community helped me understand how important it is to be associated with people who are intrinsically motivated."

Levy's coaching career began at St. Louis Country Day School, and included college jobs at Coe, New Mexico, William and Mary, and Berkeley, where future San Francisco 49er coach Bill Walsh was his assistant. (In 1970 Levy would be a finalist for the Harvard head coaching job that ultimately went to Joe Restic.) In 1978 he got his first NFL head coaching job with the Kansas City Chiefs and joined the Bills in 1986, staying through the 1997 season. When Levy took charge of the New Mexico program, he was the youngest head coach of a major college team in America, and by 1994 he had become the NFL's oldest head coach. "Challenge my coaching accomplishments if you wish," he wrote in the memoir. "But my stamina, at least, defies criticism."

"I went into football because I enjoyed it," he says. "You are surrounded by these great role models, playing a game that's energizing--and that's your life's work? How lucky can you get?"

(by the way, the poem is really a ballad about a Scottish Captain killed by the British, a true story remembered as a song, but that is another story for another day.)